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Photo # NH 1500:  USS Sassacus engaging CSS Albemarle, 5 May 1864.

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --

USS Sassacus (1863-1868)

USS Sassacus was built at the Portsmouth Navy Yard, Kittery, Maine, as the first of a class of twenty-eight 974-ton "Double-Ender" side-wheel steam gunboats. Commissioned in October 1863, she spent several months undergoing repairs and then joined the blockade off Wilmington, North Carolina. In February 1864, Sassacus was involved in the destruction of two blockade runners, one after a long chase. She began operations in the North Carolina Sounds in April 1864, and on 5 May closely engaged the Confederate ironclad CSS Albemarle. During this action, Sassacus was badly damaged when she rammed the enemy ironclad, which escaped essentially unhurt. Despite her damages, she remained on duty in North Carolina and Virginia waters until September 1864, when she could finally be released for refit.

Sassacus returned to war service in November 1864 and took part in the two assaults on Fort Fisher, N.C., in December and January. She then operated on the rivers leading to Wilmington, N.C., and Richmond, Virginia, during the remaining months of the Civil War. Sassacus decommissioned in May 1865 and was sold in August 1868.

This page features the only views we have related to USS Sassacus.

If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 1673

"Wood versus Iron"


19th Century photograph of an artwork by Acting Second Engineer Alexander C. Stuart, USN, 1864.
It shows CSS Albemarle engaging several Federal gunboats on Albemarle Sound, North Carolina, on 5 May 1864. USS Sassacus is in left center, ramming the Confederate ironclad. Other U.S. Navy ships seen are (from left): Commodore Hull, Wyalusing and Mattabesett. The Confederate transport Bombshell, captured during the action, is in the right background.
Albemarle was not significantly damaged during this action, which left Sassacus disabled by a hit in one of her boilers.

Collection of Surgeon H.P. Babcock, presented by George R. Babcock, 1938.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 140KB; 740 x 505 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 1500

"U.S.S. Sassacus and C.S.S. Albemarle"


19th Century photograph of an artwork, depicting USS Sassacus ramming the Confederate ironclad, during Albemarle's engagement with Federal gunboats on Albemarle Sound, North Carolina, 5 May 1864.
Sassacus was hit in a boiler and disabled during this action. Albemarle was not significantly damaged by the ramming or by gunfire.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 80KB; 740 x 565 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 59162

"The Steamship 'Sassacus' Ramming The Rebel Ram 'Albemarle'"


Engraving published in "Harper's Weekly", 4 June 1864, depicting USS Sassacus ramming CSS Albemarle, during the Confederate ironclad's engagement with U.S. Navy gunboats in Albemarle Sound, North Carolina, 5 May 1864.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 116KB; 740 x 470 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 79923

"The Sassacus Ramming The Albemarle"


Artwork by Bacon, published in "Deeds of Valor", Volume II, page 58, by the Perrien-Keydel Company, Detroit, 1907.
It depicts USS Sassacus ramming the Confederate ironclad Albemarle, in Albemarle Sound, North Carolina, 5 May 1864.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 142KB; 740 x 560 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 59170

"Second Attack upon Fort Fisher, showing the positions of the vessels, and the lines of fire", 13-15 January 1865


Chart by Walter A. Lane, published in "The Soldier in our Civil War", Volume II.
The positions of 58 ships are represented on the chart.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 216KB; 825 x 1225 pixels

 


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 24 October 1999
New image added 31 August 2001